well there's not much to see but aright...

 

That looks about the right color, maybe a little rich, but nothing to worry about. I would say try replacing the fuel filter and plug wires (one at a time...) and see if you still have the problem. I always like to start cheap

 

take the vacum hose off the fuel pressure regulator and smell it for gas.

 

So just a little update here.

Changed the fuel filter and smelled the vacuum hose that goes to the fuel pressure regulator. It wasn't dripping with gasoline but it did smell like gas. The fuel filter was pretty clogged up too.

It still barely manages 14 miles to the gallon. I put around 3.3 gallons of gas in there every time I stop by the gas station and reset the trip. It manages around 45 miles on that amount of gas. That's regardless of how I drive it, honestly. Whether I floor it or feather it its the same. Just pisses me off when I drive slow because I was that gas mileage in return which I never get.

I'm willing to extract every possible miles to the gallon with this car. It's my daily driver and I can't (and don't want to) sell it and buy another car.

Would tuning the PCM with tunercat fix the issue?

 

test your evap system.

 

Since your car is mostly stock, just a CAI that you mentioned, then tuning it to fix you bad mileage problem will be a waste.

Something, somewhere, is not working as it should. Until you find out what is not working, throwing parts at it or tuning it will only get you a lighter wallet and mixed results at best.

Start with something very simple. Have it scanned for any codes. It can set and store a code without turning the SES on. If codes are set, get them taken care of first. If there are no codes set, then look for anything loose or not connected under the hood. It will take time and some patience, but it won't cost you any cash. You may get lucky and find a vacuum hose or other connector that is off.

 

True. Thing is, my experience is very limited. I know how the major stuff works but I'm just starting to learn how to actually fix stuff. I'm the guy who knows all the numbers but only knows how to change oil.

If I get the ALDL cable, would I be able to scan for codes?

@craby: I'll look into the evap system, but if you have any info on how to test it or what I should be looking for I'd appreciate it.

 

do you still have the stuttering problem?

If so, did you change the plugs yourself?

If not, head out to advanced auto, buy some NGK tr55's for $2 each. You have a bad plug somewhere, or it was cracked when the "new ones" were installed. You may also have a plug wire which isn't seated correctly. If you have stock exhaust manifolds then you know by now that it's a bear to get to the plugs.

 

and one more thing. Getting 15mpg around town with an A4 is not out of the question. How long you warm up the car, sit at lights, are in stop and go all contribute to "poor mileage"

The high numbers you hear for mpg tend to be from the M6 cars.

95 Z28 A4 with CAI, lt headers, magnaflow, custom tune, 3.23's and about 15-17 mpg around town. FWIW, the newer S197 mustangs with the 4.6 aren't much better around town.

 

u will need a vacuum tester with the pump. im waitin for the camera battery to charge so i can t post a pic. i applied a vacuum to the tb side of the purge solenoid valve. thats the electric valve that the (smaller) medium sized hose from the tb goes to, its mounted on the passenger side of the intake on mine. the other hose from the valve goes to the vent pipe from the fuel tank. the pressure control valve is in the back of the driver side wheelwell behind the plastic cover in the cubby that goes to the tank. there are three connections on it, two in line and one on top, it should not flow air unless there is a vacuum applied to the little hose on top. mine flowed air no matter what on both these valves, the control and the purge valves so it was a easy diagnosis.